What a year this has been for The Path Less Taken!

At the beginning of the year, I brought my blog to Facebook, and began sharing it in a whole new way.  It’s been scary and overwhelming, and ultimately really, really exciting.  I moved my blog to Word Press this year too (which is why many of the posts from earlier in the year are missing comments)  It was a hugely positive move for me, and one that will allow me to continue to grow and improve my blog in more ways than before.

This year marked the first time I had a post reach into the tens of thousands of views.   That post about not sweating the small stuff was the one that led a lot of people to my blog for the first time, and to this day is the one that garnered both the nicest and the meanest comments I have ever received.  Ironically, it was not one of my favorite posts, but its message is one that I hold near and dear, and it very much set the theme for the entire year.  This year, it was all about finding peace and calm and joy in the moment, no matter what that moment may be.

I wrote about making peace with the mess, and about the importance of just sitting.

I tackled some un/homeschooling misconceptions.  I explained to the world why my kids would never be socialized, why we choose to stay plugged in, and whether or not my kids just eat junk food all day.  I was also led to write an entire 4-part series on Christian Unschooling, which was reprinted in its entirety in Home Educator’s Family Times.

In Protecting Natalie, I began what would become a year-long challenge for kinder parenting.

I asked what it was that you were passionate about,  what it was you were proud of when it came to your kids, and whether or not you were living your life as a race.

I shared many a story, like this one, and this one, of the delightful unexpectedness of living with a three year old.  And a seven year old, too.

I realized I was officially old this year, and that I did not, as I’d previously believed, know it all.

I continued to write about gentle parenting, including spanking, why I don’t ‘pick my battles’, why I believe kids are communicating with you, not manipulating you, and 52 ways to have a time-in.

And finally, last month I shared my thoughts on the phrase, Happy Holidays, and what it really means to take Christ out of Christmas.  It was read and shared and passed along, and quickly became my most-viewed post of all time.  It was a lovely high note on which to end the year, and I am awed and honored at the response it generated.

Thank you ALL for such an awesome year, and I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!